What is the oldest ...

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crackerjack

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age a horse would have to be before you wouldn't consider buying it.

For-

You (competing/heavy work)

You (Hacking/light work)

Would this change for your children (if you have any)?

Obviously going to be younger with the competition horse but just interested to see different views.
 
Competing/heavy work - 12 (I'd want to be a pretty good competition horse to buy at that age though)
Hacking/light work - 14 (wouldn't buy an older horse tbh
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I would say 13 for competing, that is at affiliated comps and any age for hacking. Although I don´t buy horses I just get them on loan. My current horse, which I got a couple of months ago, is 14 and I will be competing at riding club level. To be honest its not really the age that bothers me but the drop in value!

Age was never an issue when I was a child. A young pony to be was 16! My oldest pony was 24 when I got him, but again he was on loan, he was also my best pony!
 
I don't ride much nowadays but I'd say about 12-15 for competing & 15 for hacking actually, as I'd probably want to keep it 'forever' if we got on, though that doesn't mean I'd consider anything older 'unsuitable', I just wouldn't want it myself! lol

For the kids, maybe 15 for competing & for hacking or playing about on, probably about 20?
Difficult question, as if something was perfect in every other way, I guess I could be persuaded to be a little more flexible?
 
If I was buying a pony for my children (I don't have any children!) then ideally it would be an older pony- it wouldn't matter the age as long as it was happy and in good condition, I would do the rest to keep it in good condition.

For competition I think it depends really, a schoolmaster aged 15 would be fine, or older. Dutchie learnt a lot when he was 20 so there isn't really a limit it just all depends on the equine really!
 
I think you have to judge each horse on it's merits and shouldn't necessarily disregard one because it's past a certain age. My mare is 15, but is in really good nick - the vet thought she was no more than 8! She is fit and up for anything. Saying that, I've had her since she was 3 and she's been cossetted since then. My old pony (sadly no longer with us) was really past it by 16. Just depends what sort of life they've had and how good the old bodywork is!!
 
Put it this way based on stamina and ability, I'd buy my horse again now at 26, even if I only got a couple of years from him at that level, depend if you want fun or you want to make money?
 
I was just wondering whether to sell my 17 yo pony. He is perfect, has plenty of life in him yet but just has no job to do and he doesn't like it. I don't need the money to buy a new horse so i was wondering if i would be better off putting him out on loan so that when he is too old to be ridden i know i will be able to sort him out a nice home (softie aren't i?!)
 
I'd be wary of loaning him out - you hear so many horror stories and you obviously care a lot for your chap. I think if you are realistic about price and vet the home, you could find a nice owner for him. I certainly wouldn't rule out a 17 year old at the right price. And people can always have a vetting done for peace of mind. You can buy a youngster that breaks down!
 
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